Source: Forbes.com
Written by: Henry Kurkowski, Forbes Agency Council,
CEO and co-founder of One WiFi, a cloud managed customer engagement and digital marketing company
The economic impact of the arts is well documented. According to a report, the growth in arts and cultural economic activity made up 4.3% of the U.S. gross domestic product for 2016. That equates to more than $804 billion in economic activity for that year alone. There are many reasons why promoting local arts and cultural nonprofits can help to improve communities. Promoting the arts can also positively impact the bottom line for companies that support these organizations.
For one, companies today are increasingly rated by their community involvement, ethics and social responsibility. Many corporate visionaries see the value of deeper cultural engagement and being connected to the community. Such engagement opens the opportunities for companies to stand out in the eyes of consumers, employees and investors. It’s also a way to stand out from the competition.
I have had extremely fulfilling experiences helping to promote the arts and cultural scene in my city. The companies that I have co-founded donate time, money and other resources in partnership with local arts and cultural entities, helping to advance them as well as cultivate a vibrant cultural amenity for residents and visitors. I have worked on numerous committees and have had the privilege to serve as the President of the Board of Trustees for an outstanding Indianapolis-based nonprofit arts organization. In my experience, there are indirect benefits from such work and there are definitely direct benefits for the professionals and businesses that support the arts. So, how can you get started?
